Thirdly, If a lion were the proper coat of _Judah_, yet were it not probably a Lion Rampant, as it is commonly described, but rather couchant or dormant, as some _Heralds_ and _Rabbins_ do determine; according to the letter of the Text, _Recumbens dormisti ut Leo_, He couched as a Lion, and as a young Lion, who shall rouse him?

Lastly, when it is said, [SN: Num. 2.] Every man of the Children of _Israel_ shall pitch by his own standard with the Ensign of their fathers house; upon enquiry what these standards and ensigns were there is no small incertainty; and men conform not unto the Prophesie of _Jacob_. Christian expositors are fain herein to rely upon the _Rabbins_, who notwithstanding are various in their traditions, and confirm not these common descriptions. For as for inferiour ensigns, either of particular bands or houses, they determine nothing at all; and of the four principal or Legionary standards, that is, of _Judah_, _Reuben_, _Ephraim_, and _Dan_ (under every one whereof marched three Tribes) they explain them very variously. _Jonathan_ who compiled the Thargum conceives the colours of these banners to answer the precious stones in the breast-plate, and upon which the names of the Tribes were engraven. [SN: _The like also_ P. Fagius _upon the Thargum or_ Chaldie _Paraphrase of_ Onkelus. Num. 1.] So the standard for the Camp of _Judah_ was of three colours, according unto the stones, Chalcedony, Saphir and Sardonix; and therein were expressed the names of the three Tribes, [SN: Num. 10.] _Judah_, _Isachar_, and _Zabulon_, and in the middest thereof was written, Rise up Lord, and let thy enemies be scattered, and let them that hate thee flee before thee; in it was also the pourtrait of a Lion. The standard of _Reuben_ was also of three colours, Sardine, Topaz, and Amethyst; therein were expressed the names of _Reuben_, _Simeon_, and _Gad_, in the middest was written, [SN: Deut. 6.] Hear, O _Israel_, The Lord our God, the Lord is one: Therein was also the pourtraiture of a Hart. But _Abenezra_ and others, beside the colours of the field, do set down other charges, in _Reubens_ the form of a man or mandrake, in that of _Judah_ a Lion, in _Ephraims_ an Ox, in _Dan's_ the figure of an Eagle.

The Works of Sir Thomas Browne (Volume 2 of 3) — Part 143